Device for holding and guiding the fingers in writing



(No Model.)

' B-ERGMAN. DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND GUIDING'TEE FINGERS IN WRITING. I No. 304,255; Patented Aug. 26, 1884.

UNITED STATES PATENT @rrren.

IGNAZ BERGMAN, OF FORT MADISON, IOYVA.

I DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND GUIDING THE FINGERS IN WRITING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 304,255, dated August 26, 1884:.

Application filed April 2], 1884.

' zen of the United States,.residing at Fort Madison, in the county of Lee and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Device for Holding and Guiding the Fingers in WVriting, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. 4

This invention relates to devices for holding and guiding the fingers in writing, and is an improvement on Letters Patent No. 282,948, granted to me August 14, 1888.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for the use of experienced penmen, and also for the use of those beginning the'study of penmanship, said device eradicating the habit of allowing the hand to roll over too much on one side, and also preventing the habit of doubling under the third and fourth fingers, thereby insuring an easy and correct position of the hand while writing.

My improvements consist, first, in providing a ball or other suitable contrivance at the upper end of the rod, to prevent thesliding ring from slipping off the said rod, and thus being lost; second, in swiveling or pivoting the ring at the lower end of the rod, so as to permit the third and fourth fingers to have a free and easy movement; third, in providing a ball at the lower extended end of the rod, to serve as a light support and permit the hand to have a free sliding motion over the paper, this ball being designed to be used by experienced penmen.

a bottom view of a hand, showing the device used by beginners applied thereto.

'Like letters of reference are used to indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings,Adesignates a rod, constructed of metal, ivory, bone, pearl, wood,

(No model.)

or other suitable material, and preferably formed about two inches longer than the width of the hand, said rod passing under the hand at the point shown in the drawings, and pro vided at the lower portion, about one inch from the lower end, with a ring or loop, B, which encircles the fourth finger, and is swiveled to the rod, so as to allow the free motion of said finger.

O designates the sliding finger loop or ring, formed or provided with a cylindrical extension, 0, through which the rod Ais passed, said extension being shaped to conform to the general shape of the rod, which is likewise cylindrical. forefinger, and by' means of the cylindrical extension fitting around the rod a loose sliding attachment is formed, which will permit the adjustment of the device to hands of different sizes, and also permit free movement'of the fingers, so that the hand will not become cramped in writing.

At the end of the extended portion E of the rod A is fitted a ferrule, G, provided with a screw-threaded extension, '11, to receive a cap, ball, or other eontrivance, I, said cap or ball serving to prevent the ring 0 fromsliding off the rod, and thus accidental displacement of the same will be avoided. At the lower end, D, of the rod A is fitted a similar ferrule, J, having a similar threaded extension, K, to

receive a ball, L, the latter resting on the paper or desk and arranged to permit the free sliding movement of the hand while writing. This ball is specially designed to be used by experienced penmen, and may be swiveled to the lower end of the rod, as found desirable, and serves as a light support for the hand, which will become less tired, and remain con stantly in the correct elevated position.

The ring or loop 0 encircles the In Fig. 4 I have shown the device when an I ranged and adapted to be used by beginners in the study of penmanship, the lower extended end, D, of the rod A being pointed, as shown, to catch in'the paper or desk, if the writer becomes careless, and thus cause him to assume the proper position.

The operation of my invention will'be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the annexed drawings, and with my aforesaid patent.

In adjusting my device for use the first and fourth fingers are inserted through the ring 0 B, respectively, the second and third fingers occupying the space between the two rings, the ends of the rod extending out, as shown at D E. The lower end, 1), with its ball, forms a rest for the hand in writing, the pen or pencil resting on the upper end of the rod, between the said end and the ring 0. When used by beginners and pointed as shown, the end D will not obstruct the free use of the hand, so long as a correct position is maintained; but when the hand is turned too much to the right the extremity of said end, catching in the table or desk, will cause the front of the hand to be elevated or lifted from the paper. Of course, the penman cannot write until he has assumed the proper position of the hand, and thus all tendency to carelessness on the part of the pupil will be avoided. XVhen the ball is used at the lower end of the rod, itdoes not catch in the desk or paper, but serves as a light support for the hand, to retain the latter in correct position.

I do not'confine myself to the use of a ball at the upper end of the rod to prevent the ring 0 from accidentally slipping off, as a cap or any suitable headed contrivance may be our ployed to effect the same end.

My improved device is simple, inexpensive, and efiicient, and will prove of great utility for the purposes intended. It does not clamp or bind the fingers, similar to other devices of this class, while the loose connection of the parts permits the free use of the hand and fingers, so that the latter will not become cramped lower end adapted to rest on the paper, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a device for holding and guiding the fingers in writing, the rod A, having a ring swiveled thereon to receive one of the fingers,

said ring turning in various directions to ac-' commodate itself to the position of the fingers in writing, as set forth. a

3. In a device for holding and guiding the fingers in writing, a rod provided with a sliding ring andv a swiveled ring, as and for the 4. In a device for holding and guiding the fingers in writing, a rod provided with a slidpurpose set forth.

ing ring and aswiveled ring,and aheaded cap or ball at the upper end of the rod, as set forth.

5. In a device for holding and guiding the fingers in writing, a rod provided with a sliding ring and a swiveled ring, andaheaded cap or ball at the upper end of the rod, and a ball at the lower end, as set forth.

I11 testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IGNAZ BERGMAN.

Witnesses:

JOHN EARTH, NETTIE DOERR. 

